Page 76 of A Sip of Sherry

“Smart man,” Claire said, and Sherry turned and patted my chest, a big grin on her too kissable lips.

“He is,” Sherry agreed, then followed Claire to a room filled with so much glass I was afraid to breathe in fear of disturbing the air and knocking something over.

Three hours later, the truck was packed with that first crushed velvet lounge, along with tables and chairs, vases, and even vintage China.We thanked Claire and headed out.

I came to a stop at a stop sign and turned my head to Sherry.“Hungry?”

“Starving.”

“Go out to dinner with me?”

Her eyebrow arched.

“Let me make up for our last dinner.I was distracted, and it wasn’t the best date, and you deserve the best.”

She glanced at her dust-stained blouse and pants.“I look like I just climbed out of the gutter.”

“You look beautiful.”

She rolled her eyes, but her cheeks flushed that pretty pink.“Flattery will get you everywhere.”

I snagged her hand and brought it to my mouth, placing a kiss on her knuckles.“Good, because I wasn’t taking no as an answer.”

“I figured as much, but this place better have carbs and good wine.”

“Luckily for you, we just sent a bunch of cases over to a little place in town.Hope you like pasta.”

“Only a psychopath wouldn’t like pasta.”

I laughed.“Tell that to my mother.She has a fear of all carbs.”

Sherry mock gasped.“She has no idea what she’s missing out on.I tried giving carbs up once, but kind of impossible when your best friend is the best baker to grace the planet.”

“I swear my mother thinks if she takes one bite of cake, she would summon the apocalypse.”

“Would she judge me for my love of cake?”

“Probably,” I admitted.“But she judges everyone, especially her own son.”

“Good thing I don’t need her approval.”

“I wouldn’t want you to have it.”The words came out rougher than I intended.“Means you’re doing something right.”

She laughed, loud and boisterous.“That might be the most messed up, but nicest compliment I’ve ever gotten.”

“Welcome to my world.”

The laughter faded, and her expression softened.“In spite of her, you turned out pretty okay.”

I pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant and put the truck in park.Warmth radiated from her and wrapped around me.“Pretty okay?”My lip quirked.

She tilted her head, her eyes sparkling with amusement.“Fine.You’re more than okay.”

“That’s better.”I brushed a loose strand of hair from her cheek.

For a moment, we just stared at each other.The desire to close the space between us and crash my mouth to hers was almost impossible to ignore, but I held strong.She needed time, and I was going to respect her wishes.

“Let’s get some carbs,” I said, breaking our gaze and turning the truck off.

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